About

Coastal dune ecosystems are amongst the most modified and degraded of all the major ecosystems in New Zealand (New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010). These nationally endangered and poorly understood ecosystems continue to be modified due to increasing pressure from recreational use and coastal development, impacts of pest animals, and invasion by exotic plants.

The Coastal Restoration Trust (and its predecessor the Coastal Dune Vegetation Network) and partners have been involved in supporting and encouraging the use of cost effective and practical restoration techniques for nearly two decades. A central focus continues to be the provision of information as freely and easily as possible to assist coastal groups and agencies in the restoration of natural dune form and function through the use of indigenous plants and enhancement of indigenous fauna. The database therefore reflects this focus with information covering historical and latest sources including coastal dune geomorphology; native and exotic flora and fauna of our dunes; research both basic and applied; practical aspects of protection, enhancement and management of our coastal dune systems; and any other information relevant to restoration of our dunes.

The New Zealand Coastal Dune Ecosystem Reference Database aims to:

increase access to reliable information on coastal dune ecosystems to support restoration management and implementation by management agencies, research institutes and community members;

provide better connectivity between the community of interest associated with coastal dune ecosystems locally, nationally and internationally; and

provide for better linkages and a level of integration between the biological, physical and social aspects of coastal dune ecosystem management and restoration.

This Coastal Dune Ecosystem Reference Database has been funded by the Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity Information Systems (TFBIS) programme of the Department of Conservation with support from the Coastal Restoration Trust network of collaborators including councils and community coastal interest groups and agencies.